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Arbitrage vs. informed short selling: Evidence from convertible bond issuers

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  • Hackney, John
  • Henry, Tyler R.
  • Koski, Jennifer L.

Abstract

Prior literature examines the effect of either informed or arbitrage short selling on equity markets. We test the relative importance of informed and uninformed short selling around convertible bond issues and earnings announcements for the same firms over the same time period. Convertible arbitrage short selling is associated with temporary price pressure, consistent with downward sloping demand curves. Earnings announcement short selling is consistent with informed traders who anticipate future returns. Firm-specific characteristics related to the cost of short selling similarly affect both informed and arbitrage short selling. Deal-specific characteristics capturing hedging demand also strongly determine convertible arbitrage short selling.

Suggested Citation

  • Hackney, John & Henry, Tyler R. & Koski, Jennifer L., 2020. "Arbitrage vs. informed short selling: Evidence from convertible bond issuers," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 65(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:corfin:v:65:y:2020:i:c:s0929119920301310
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jcorpfin.2020.101687
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    Cited by:

    1. Yongsik Kim, 2020. "Announcement Effects of Convertible and Warrant Bond Issues with Embedded Refixing Option: Evidence from Korea," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-21, October.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Short selling; Informed trading; Arbitrage; Earnings announcements; Convertible bonds;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G14 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Information and Market Efficiency; Event Studies; Insider Trading
    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill

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